Tool for piercing aerosol containers



Feb 34, 167 A. QQMPERE TOOL FOR PIERCING AEROSOL CONTAINERS Filed June21, 1965 PA TENT AGENT 3,303,968 TOOL FOR PIERCING AEROSQL CONTAINERSAlphonse Compare, 11946 Depatie St, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Filed June21, 1965, Ser. No. 465,312 7 Claims. (Cl. ZZZ-82) The present inventionrelates to a tool for domestic use and, more particularly, to a tool forpiercing spent aerosol containers and other containers containing fluidsunder pressure, so as to make said containers safe for disposal.

Containers containing liquid and/or gas under pressure with valve meansto cause a spray of liquid under opening of the valve, are now ingeneral use and are often the cause of accidents. Subjecting a half-fullor nearly empty aerosol container to heat may cause an explosion;piercing such a container may cause skin or eye wounds. This is whyaerosol containers are always marked: Do not punctureDo not incinerate.

Under these circumstances, disposal of such containers is a problem,especially for apartment dwellers -who have only an incinerator as meansfor the disposal of garbage.

Accordingly, the general object of the present inven-' tion resides inthe provision of a tool which can be easily handled by unskilledpersons, especially adapted for piercing spent aerosol containers insuch a manner as to allow discharge, in a very safe way, of whateverfluid under pressure is left in the container, whereby the container sopierced may be thereafter disposed in any manner, as they are totallyharmless.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of atool of the character described, of a simple and inexpensiveconstruction, which makes a permanent hole in the container so as tomake the same completely harmless and which is provided with means todissipate the force of the fluid under pressure discharged from thecontainer and convert said fluid into a harmless slow speed flow.

Other important objects of the present invention will become moreapparent during the following disclosure and by referring to thedrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the tool in accordancewith the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation;

FIGURE 3' is a longitudinal section of a portion of the tool;

FIGURE 4 is a plan section taken along line 44 of FIGURE 6, showing asecond embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom partial plan view of the tool in accordance withthe second embodiment;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-section taken along line 66 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the secondembodiment, on an enlarged scale.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like referencecharacters indicate like elements throughout, the tool in accordancewith the invention consists essentially of a pair of pliers, one jaw ofwhich is provided with the container piercing means associated withmeans for directing and dissipating the flow of liquid and gas emanatingfrom the can or container.

In accordance with the first embodiment, shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, apair of pliers, generally indicated at 1, comprises curved jaws 2 and 3,pivotally interconnected at 4 by means of a rivet, or the like, andextended by operating handles 5 and 6, respectively.

laws 2 and 3 form nearly a complete circle when in normal closedposition to thereby encircle the cylindrical wall of an aerosolcontainer 7, or other container containing a fluid under pressure andintended to be pierced.

Jaw 2 is provided, in about the center of its length, with an annulargroove or recess 8 opening at the inside face of the jaw, said recess 8adapted to receive one end portion of a compression coil spring 9, saidend portion of the spring being secured to the jaw 2 within recess 8.The free end portion of spring 9 carries a flanged disc 10 secured tosaid spring 9, the disc being lined with a ring 11 of cork, rubber, orthe like compressible and sealing material, so as to make fluid-tightcontact with the cylindrical wall of container 7, when the jaws 2 and 3are pressed firmly against the container by means of handles 5 and 6.

A container-piercing element 12 is rigidly secured to jaw 2. Piercingelement 12 extends through a hole made in jaw 2 centrally of annularrecess 8 and comprises an inner conical portion 13 extending inwardly ofjaw 2 towards the can or container 7, and a deflector element 15 on theoutside of jaw 2. Element 12 further includes a restricted threadedcylindrical portion 14 extending through the hole of the jaw anddefining a radial shoulder with the conical portion 13, said shoulderseating against the jaw 2.

Threaded cylindrical portion 14 is screwed within the central threadedhole of bafile or deflector element 15, secured to jaw 2 by piercingelement 12. Element 12 has an axial bore 16 which opens at the tip ofconical portion 13, but is slightly laterally olfset with respect tosaid tip, or apex of the cone defined portion 13, so as to form bevelledinclined cutting edges 17 joining in a point 18 on one side of bore 16.The outer end of bore 16 is in communication with a transverse bore 19opening at diametrically opposed lateral points of the cylindricalthreaded portion 14 of piercing element 12.

Deflector element 15 has a generally bell shape with its axissubstantially coaxial with bore 16 of piercing element 12 and definingan inner surface 20 which is diverging in an outward direction in theregion adjacent transverse bore 19, but which curves radially inwardlyin the region adjacent outer opening 21 of the deflector 15.

The tool is used in the following manner:

The spent aerosol container 7 is encircled by jaws 2 and 3, preferablynear the bottom edge thereof just above the lower head of saidcontainer. The handles 5 and 6 are pressed together firmly to therebycause the point 18 and cutting edge 17 to pierce and enter the containerduring their piercing action. The ring 11 of cork or rubber material ispressed by spring 9 against the container wall to thereby make a goodseal around the perforation made by piercing member 12. When the element12 has attained its limit inward position within the container 7,sealing ring 11 and disc 10 have come in contact at the edge of theircentral hole with the conical surface 13 of piercing element 12, tothereby positively prevent escape of the fluid in the container betweenthe outside of piercing element 12 and the edges of the holes pierced bysaid element. Thus, the fluid must flow through bore 16 and transversebore 19. Therefore, the fluid is discharged substantially laterallywithin the bell-shaped deflector member 15.

The fluid is discharged as jets against the diverging side face portion20 of the baflie member 15 and must again change direction and flowradially inwardly near the marginal outer portion of the deflector,whereby the fluid molecules impinge upon each other, thereby completelydissipating any energy remaining in the fluid jet; Therefore, at aslight distance from the outer opening 21 of the baflie 15, the fluidflows at very low speed.

The inside of the contatiner quickly comes to atmospheric pressure andthen the pliers 1 are released from the container, and the latter may bedisposed of in any desired manner, as it is now harmless.

FIGURES 4 to 7 inclusive show another embodiment of the pliers inaccordance with the invention. The second embodiment comprises pliers 22consisting of a pair or curved jaws 23, 24 crossing each other andpivotally interconnected at 25 and each provided with an integral handle26 and 27, respectively, as in the first embodiment.

A curved flange 28 is rigidly secured to jaw 23 and extends inwardly ofjaw 23 along the major portion thereof, to be in a plane normal to theplane containing jaws 23 and 24. Flange 28 is lined on the inside withcork, rubber, or other similar material, as shown at 29, which is curvedto engage the cylindrical wall of a container 7 to be perforated, suchengagement being gas-tight.

The center of flange 28 and its lining 29 is provided with a hole 30. Aplate 31 depends from the outer edge of curved flame 28 and extends in aplane parallel to the plane containing jaws 23 and 24. Plate 31 isdisposed within the space encircled by the jaws 23, 24.

A slide member 32 is applied and retained against the outer face ofplate 31 and is connected thereto by rivets 33 extending through thelongitudinal slot 34 made in slide member 32, such that slide member 32may move in a path substantially perpendicular to handles 26, 27; thatis, towards and away from the other jaw 24.

The outer end of slide member 32 is provided with a cam-shaped opening35, in which is disposed a cam 36 secured to the shaft 37' of awing-shaped operating member 37, which is disposed on the outside ofplate 31 and slide member 32. The shaft of said operating member isjournalled within the end of plate 31. Thus, rotational movement ofwing-shaped member 37 causes the came 36 to move within cam-shapedopening to reciprocate slide member 32. The latter carries a rightangular flange 38 at its end opposite cam 36, which overlaps flange 28and its hole 30. Flange 38 carries a piercing member and a deflectormember identical to the piercing member 12 and deflector member 15 ofthe first embodiment, the piercing member adapted to extend through hole30 of flange 28 and lining 29.

Piercing member 12 is reciprocated by wing-shaped operating member 37between a retracted position, as shown in FIGURE 6, in which the tip 18of the piercing member is within hole 30, and an advanced operatingpiercing position in which the major portion of the conical part 13 ofpiercing member 12 protrudes inwardly from lining 29. In said advancedposition, the conical portion 13 makes practically gas-proof contactwith hole 30.

The tool in accordance with the second embodiment is used as follows:

The base of the container 7 to be pierced is inserted between jaws 23and 24 so as to rest on plate 31 and the handles 26 and 27 are squeezedtogether to firmly encircle the container by jaws 23 and 24; while inthis position, wing-shaped member 37 is turned to move the piercingelement 12 from retracted to advanced position, thereby perforating thecylindrical wall of the container and allowing discharge of gas andliquid through the piercing member and deflector member 15, as in thefirst embodiment.

The jet of gas and liquid under pressure is practically totallydissipated in the deflector member. The can is thus rendered harmlessand can be disposed of in any manner desired.

While preferred embodiments in accordance with the present inventionhave been illustrated and described, it is understood that variousmodifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A tool for piercing spent containers of a fluid under pressurecomprising a pair of pliers having curved jaws firmly encircling thecontainer, a container-piercing member mounted in the centre portion ofone of said jaws and directed towards the other jaw, said piercingmember having a through bore for the discharge of fluid un der pressurein said container, said piercing member having a substantially conicalexternal shape and said through bore extending longitudinally of thesame and opening at its inlet end in a zone laterally offset withrespect to the apex of said conically shaped piercing member, to definea tip on one side of said inlet opening and bevelled side cutting edges,the through bore of said piercing member having an elbow near its outletend whereby said outlet end opens laterally of said piercing member atan angle relative to said through bore, and a deflector member securedto said jaw and extending opposite the outlet end of said bore.

2. A tool for piercing spent containers of a fluid under pressurecomprising a pair of pliers having curved jaws for firmly encircling thecontainer, a container-piercing member mounted in the centre portion ofone of said jaws and directed towards the other jaw, said piercingmember having a through bore for the discharge of fluid under pressurein said container, said piercing member having a substantailly conicalexternal shape and said through bore extending longitudinally of thesame and opening at its inlet end in a zone laterally offset withrespect to the apex of said conically shaped piercing member, to definea tip on one side of said inlet opening and bevelled side cutting edges,and a deflector member spacedly surrounding the outlet end of thethrough bore of said piercing member, in the form of a bell defining aninner surface of revolution diverging outwardly from said piercingmember for a portion of said surface of revolution, and then convergingin the direction outwardly from said piercing member for the outer endportion of said surface of revolution of said deflector member, theoutlet end of said through bore of said piercing member forming at leastone elbow to direct a jet of fluid discharged through said through boreagainst said surface of revolution.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 2, wherein said deflector member has athreaded inner opening and said piercing member has an externallythreaded stern on which said deflector member is screwed with theinterposition of said jaw member.

4. A tool as claimed in claim 3, further including a sealing membersurrounding the tip end of said piercing member, spring means attachedat one end to said jaw and at the other end to said sealing member toelastically support the latter for longitudinal movement with respect tosaid piercing member, in order to engage in a fluidtight manner the areaof a container engaged and pierced by said piercing member in the zonesurrounding the perforation made by said piercing member.

5. A tool as claimed in claim 2, further including a slide member onwhich said piercing member and said deflector member are rigidly securedand manually-operated means for displacing said slide member in areciprocating manner along a path towards and away from said other jaw.

6. A tool as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means include a platerigidly secured to said first-named jaw and extending towards the otherjaw, said slide member being attached to said plate for longitudinalmovement with respect to the same, an operating handle having a shaftjournalled in said plate, a cam member carried by said shaft, said slidemember having a cam-shaped opening engaged by said cam member, wherebyrotation of said cam member causes longitudinal reciprocating movementof said slide member to move said piercing member from a retractedposition to an advanced container engaging and piercing position.

7. A tool as claimed in claim 6, wherein said plate is offset Withrespect to the plane containing said jaws and further including a curvedflange normal to said plate and secured to said jaw, said slide memberhaving a flange normal thereto and directly carrying said piercing anddeflector members, said first-named curved flange having a hole throughwhich said piercing member is References Cited by the Examiner UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 8/1933 Johann 222-83 X 2,008,807 7/1935 Williams ZZZ-87 X2,129,971 9/1938 Smith 22283.5 2,839,221 6/1958 Demaret ZZZ-82 RAPHAELM. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

1. A TOOL FOR PIERCING SPENT CONTAINERS OF A FLUID UNDER PRESSURECOMPRISING A PAIR OF PLIERS HAVING CURVED JAWS FIRMLY ENCIRCLING THECONTAINER, A CONTAINER-PIERCING MEMBER MOUNTED IN THE CENTRE PORTION OFONE OF SAID JAWS AND DIRECTED TOWARDS THE OTHER JAW, SAID PIERCINGMEMBER HAVBER HAVING A THROUGH BORE FOR THE DISCHARGE OF FLUID UNDERPRESSURE IN SAID CONTAINER, SAID PIERCING MEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLYCONICAL EXTERNAL SHAPE ANS SAID THROUGH BORE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OFTHE SAME AND OPENING AT ITS INLET END IN A ZONE LATERALLY OFFSET WITHRESPECT TO THE APEX OF SAID CONICALLY SHAPED PIERCING MEMBER, TO DEFINEA TIP ON ONE SIDE OF SAID INLET OPENING AND BEVELLED SIDE CUTTING EDGES,THE THROUGH BORE OF SAID PIERCING MEMBER HAVING AN ELBOW NEAR ITS OUTEREND WHEREBY SAID OUTLET END OPENS LATERALLY OF SAID PIERCING MEMBER ATAN ANGLE RELATIVE TO SAID THROUGH BORE, AND A DEFLECTOR MEMBER SECUREDTO SAID JAW AND EXTENDING OPPOSITE THE OUTLET END OF SAID BORE.